Steam Uses Credit Cards for Australia’s New R18+ Age Checks

Valve has introduced credit-card age checks for Australian Steam users who want to view store pages for its R18+ computer games and other mature content.

The Steam interface now asks a user to add and retain a valid Australian credit card on the account as evidence that the holder is at least 18. The workflow does not present government-ID verification or facial age estimation as alternative methods.

The change coincides with the September 9 compliance deadline for Australia’s Age-Restricted Material App Distribution Services Code. The eSafety Commissioner says services that distribute applications must apply appropriate age checks before allowing users to download material classified R18+.

Credit cards can function as an indirect age signal because they are generally issued through regulated financial institutions to adults or under controlled arrangements. The Steam implementation keeps the card linked to the account instead of conducting a one-time document or biometric check.

Valve has used the same general method to restrict adult content for Steam users in the United Kingdom. The company has presented the approach as a way to confirm adulthood without collecting an additional identity document or facial image specifically for the age check.

Game distributors are taking different approaches to the Australian requirement. Epic Games recently added Yoti and Veriff checks for access to R18+ games, offering age-estimation and identity-document routes rather than relying solely on payment credentials.

The app-distribution code forms part of a broader Australian age-assurance regime covering adult material online. Rules for certain websites and platforms have already brought age-verification obligations into effect, prompting services to choose among financial, documentary and biometric signals.

Other gaming platforms are also expanding age checks in response to national regulation. Sony has mandated age verification for PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland, reflecting the growing use of account-level controls to limit access to age-restricted features and media.

For Australian Steam users, the new requirement applies at the point of viewing restricted store content. A qualifying card must remain attached to the account for continued access to the affected pages. The check therefore sits at the account and storefront layer, before a user can inspect or obtain an R18+ title through the service.

Sources: GamingOnLinux, eSafety Commissioner

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By the ID Tech Editorial Team